Year in Industry- Production

Year in Industry Placement - Production Salary £24,500 per annum plus benefits Location Aldermaston, near Reading, with opportunities to visit Burghfield; Office and operational facility based Contract 12-month placement Start date August 2027 Working pattern Full time, 9-day working fortnight

About AWE

We are a team of remarkable people, united by one extraordinary mission: keeping the UK safe and secure. Our work supports the UK’s independent nuclear deterrent and extends into vital areas including counter-terrorism, global nuclear test monitoring and the development of world-class nuclear science expertise. At AWE, you will find purpose, growth and the opportunity to learn from experienced specialists while contributing to work that protects lives and strengthens national security.

Role purpose

This 12-month placement sits within AWE’s Operations Delivery Group. Operations translates demand from customer programmes into the products and services needed to support the Defence Nuclear Organisation and maintain national security. As an Undergraduate Production Trainee, you will learn how a technically advanced production environment operates safely, securely and effectively. You will support the teams responsible for manufacturing components and assembling products, while developing your understanding of production processes, planning, workforce capability, safety, quality and regulatory compliance.

Key activities and responsibilities

• Develop an understanding of how a production facility operates, including production processes, planning, safety, training, competency and regulatory requirements.
• Support operational scheduling and help identify risks, constraints and opportunities that could affect delivery.
• Work with stakeholders across engineering, quality, environment, safety and health, facilities and other business areas to enable delivery.
• Contribute to local accountability and visual-management boards by helping maintain clear, accurate and timely information.
• Support visible operational management and help create the conditions for high levels of performance, engagement and delivery.
• Build an understanding of workforce capability and competency requirements across the operations team.
• Support the line management and coordination of operators embedded within functional areas, under appropriate supervision.
• Support the Operations Personal Development Group process and learn how operational employees are developed and supported.
• Promote a diverse and inclusive working environment in which people can contribute and develop.
• Comply with authorised processes, regulations, policies and local work instructions, while maintaining high standards of safety and security.

Learning and development

• Learn from experts: Work alongside experienced production, engineering, safety, quality and facility specialists from day one.
• Operational experience: Gain practical insight into production planning, manufacturing delivery, workforce capability and regulated operations.
• Leadership development: Build self‑awareness, team awareness and an understanding of how visible leadership supports performance.
• Continual support: Receive support from a dedicated line manager, Evolve pathway lead and buddy throughout the placement.
• Build your network: Connect with the wider Early Careers community, employee resource groups and colleagues across AWE.
• Future pathways: Explore technical and leadership careers in production, including opportunities such as Process Specialist and Delivery Manager, with potential progression into senior delivery roles.

Entry requirements

We welcome applications from candidates studying an engineering or science-based degree. You must be on track to achieve a minimum 2:2 in your degree by August 2027. You must be graduating in either 2029 or 2030 and completing a placement year as part of your degree. You must be available to join AWE in August 2027. You must be a British National and willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role.

• Manufacturing Engineering
• Production Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
• Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering
• Manufacturing Engineering with Management
• Product Design and Manufacture
• Product Design Engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• Engineering Management
• Systems Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Electronic Engineering
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Mechatronics
• Robotics and Automation Engineering
• Automation and Control Engineering
• Materials Science and Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Aerospace Engineering

Behaviours and qualities

• Curious: You enjoy understanding how complex production environments work and are comfortable asking questions.
• Safety and security focused: You understand the importance of following authorised processes, regulations and local instructions.
• Collaborative: You can build constructive working relationships across operations, engineering, quality, safety and facilities.
• Organised: You can manage information, prioritise activities and contribute to clear operational planning.
• Dependable: You take responsibility for your work, keep your promises and act with integrity.
• Resilient: You can adapt, learn from feedback and remain focused when priorities or operational needs change.
• Inclusive: You value different perspectives and help create an environment where others can contribute and develop.
• Leadership potential: You are willing to take initiative, communicate clearly and motivate others through a positive example.

Salary and benefits

• £24,500 salary.
• 270 hours of annual leave, including bank holidays.
• A full-time, 9-day working fortnight, giving you every other Friday off.
• A salary‑sacrifice benefit scheme.
• Savings across retail, hospitality and leisure.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
• A vibrant Early Careers community with opportunities to join events and activities.
• Potential to secure a Graduate role after university, subject to performance, business need and available opportunities.

Inclusion and reasonable adjustments

We want candidates to feel confident and informed throughout the application process. We encourage diverse applicants and welcome requests for reasonable adjustments. Any inclusion information provided will be used only to support the application and held for this purpose in accordance with GDPR.

Next steps

Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table. We recognise that great people don’t always ‘tick every box’.

That’s why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience. We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process.

About the role and future

We are at the start of a once in a generation – possibly two generations – programme to design and produce a replacement warhead for the UK’s continuous at sea deterrent. We will do this while continuing to deliver the Trident programme as well as managing ambitious state-of-the‑art capital and construction projects – some of which have never been done before. We are recruiting right across the business: from technical roles in engineering, science, manufacturing and industrial work to business roles in areas such as IT, project management/ controls, commercial, human resources and facilities management. We also have our Evolve graduate programme, or you may be interested in an apprenticeship with our award‑winning Skills Academy. What we do is vital to national nuclear security. Keeping our nation, everyone, our environment and everything around us safe and secure is a top priority for us. So, as you would expect, that brings with it a high level of safety and security that you will see across our sites and in how everyone who works here operates. We are always looking for high calibre people to join our team, so why not explore the opportunities we currently have on offer. Whatever stage of your career, AWE is an exciting and challenging environment to develop your skills and achieve your potential.

If you’re looking for a role with excitement, intrigue and something that really makes a difference then now is the time to join AWE.

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